It was well known that, unlike chemical reactions, nuclear reactions could not be hastened or slowed. In a nuclear pile, for example, although the chain reaction can be slowed by the used of cadmium rods, the individual atoms will go on splitting at some slower rated that cannot be slowed further.

While contemplating the seeming inevitability of nuclear decay, Jason had began to wonder what effect a huge electric or magnetic field might have on nuclear decay. No change should be expected, and none had ever been detected, but he believed that, given sufficient equipment, some smaller, "second order" effect might be measured by sensitive equipment.

He knew that there were not sufficient resources in Abraham's house to carry out such a plan, but he hoped that he could use his sabbatical to test measuring equipment, and that he could proceed with the real research once he was at Harvard.